Building your little one’s nursery piece-by-piece is one of the exciting parts of parenting. However, there are so many options it can be overwhelming, especially when you are shopping on a budget. From mini crib to toddler bed and everything in between, this guide will break down the affordable nursery furniture you need for your little one’s first few years of life. Plus, we’ll show you how to find a cheap baby crib and furniture without breaking the bank.
Best Cheap Cribs
The Dream On Me Synergy 5-in-1 Convertible Crib is the least expensive option with a 4.4 star rating with mixed reviews from users. The Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is also a good choice for the price with a 4.7 rating yet has some negative reviews about the quality. The Delta Portable Mini Crib is priced depending on the color of the crib with a 4.7 rating, yet while it is a mini crib, it has great comments from parents.
Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib
The Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib costs around $100 and comes with a mattress. It is the perfect solution for small areas, as its small size and wheels make it easy to move around the house.
Even though a mattress is included, some parents prefer to buy their own because the included mattress is not especially thick. Once your little one begins pulling themselves up, the mattress can be adjusted to a lower (and safer) position. The mattress sits inside when the crib is folded, making storage or travel a breeze.
For parents concerned about style, this features a modern design with simple lines. It is available in eight colors, including natural, white, Bianca white, dark espresso, dark chocolate, dark cherry, gray, and light gray.
The crib has been tested for lead and chemical contact, meeting or exceeding all standards recommended by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). However, there is a strong chemical smell and parents may want to let the crib sit for several days in a room with an open window before putting their baby in it.
Pros
- Very affordable baby crib
- Small size is good for apartments and room sharing
- Several colors to fit your nursery theme
- Mattress stores inside when folded
- Folds and has wheels for easy moving and storage
Cons
- Included mattress is thin and more of a pad than a mattress
- Strong chemical smell when new
Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
The Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is a great choice for parents who want to buy a single piece of furniture for their child’s entire life. While you’ll need to purchase a full-size conversion kit, toddler rail, and mattress separately, this set converts from a crib to a toddler bed, then a day bed, and finally a full-size bed and headboard. It comes in five colors; pebble gray, white, black, espresso, and driftwood.
There is also an option to purchase this convertible crib with a changer attached, but that model costs $100 more. As a crib, this is designed for use up to 35 pounds. Then, it can be used as a toddler bed and day bed up to 50 pounds before you convert it to a full-size bed.
As your child grows, you’ll want to lower the mattress so they stay safe. There are three adjustable mattress positions.
Even though the overall design of the crib feels sturdy once assembled, the wood is soft. It feels nice but may cause the crib to dent if it bumps the wall or other baby furniture. The paint also chips and even though it is non-toxic, you may want to put a sealant on it before you place it in the nursery.
Pros
- Comes in several colors
- Works as crib, day bed, toddler bed, and full-size bed
- Sold with or without changing table
- Adjustable mattress
- Feels sturdy once assembled
Cons
- Paint chips
- Wood dents easily
Dream on Me Synergy 5-in-1 Crib
Any time that you can get a piece of baby furniture that’s not only cheap but also multi-functional, it adds up to big cost savings! The Dream on Me Synergy 5-in-1 Crib is not only under well under the $200 mark, but it works as 5 different pieces of baby furniture throughout its lifetime.
This crib starts life as a regular crib fitting a standard-sized baby mattress. When baby grows, you can buy the relatively inexpensive toddler rail attachment and make this crib into a baby bed. Next, you can take one side completely off and use it as a day bed/toddler bed combo to get your big kid ready for sleeping on their own. Then, you can buy side rails and use the head and footboard on a full-sized bed. Or, if you prefer just a headboard, you can attach it to any inexpensive bed frame.
It can be daunting to buy something expensive because you may worry that the quality will be low. The Dream on Me Synergy crib is both sturdy and environmentally safe. It’s GREENGUARD Gold certified, so you know that all the materials, including the real New Zealand pine wood, won’t cause harm to your bundle of joy.
Between 4 mattress heights and 8 color options (ranging from classic white to sky blue to modern grey), you’ll be able to customize it for your little one, making it one of the best inexpensive baby cribs.
Pros
- 5 different children’s beds in one
- Made with real pine wood
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
- 4 mattress heights
- 8 color options
Cons
- Have to buy extra parts to fully use all 5 modes
- Hard to assemble
Best Cheap Baby Furniture
Windsor Glider and Ottoman
For less than $150, the Windsor Glider and Ottoman makes the perfect accompaniment to a nursery. The chair is comfortable for you and your little one, with a wide seating area and well-padded arms and cushions. The cushions are removable for easy spot cleaning as well.
When you sit in this chair, it feels sturdy. There are also convenient storage pockets on either side of the chair, which makes it easy to keep a few baby essentials like a burp rag, pacifiers, or a favorite toy nearby.
Even once your baby grows into a toddler, they will enjoy rocking back and forth in this chair. It is easy to assemble. Something to note is that it may creak slightly after assembly — a little WD-40 can fix this. Another issue is the bottom cushion. Though the back and arms are well-padded, the bottom cushion might not have as much support as some parents want.
Pros
- Storage pockets keep important baby items close
- Works as a reading chair once your baby outgrows being held and rocked
- Feels sturdy
- Easy to remove cushions
- Assembly is easy
Cons
- A little squeaky at first
- Not a lot of support from bottom cushion
Sauder Pogo Three Drawer Chest
Baby dressers are often long and take up a lot of space. And since babies don’t have a ton of clothes yet, a smaller chest of drawers, like the Sauder Pogo Bookcase and Three Drawer Chest Bundle, works just fine.
This chest of drawers three ample-sized drawers and an open bin at the bottom. The bin is perfect for stuffed animals, blankets, or toys since it’s right at baby level. As your child grows, it makes a great spot for shoes, hats, or other accessories.
The matching bookcase has two shelves and two bins. All the bins have labels. This is perfect for toys, clothes, or whatever needs storing. Also, this is the same height as a footboard, so it will fit well at the bottom of a big-kid bed once your child grows to that point.
For under $300 dollars, you can get some sturdy and simple shelves and drawers for your child’s room. They are just the right size and design for your baby to grow into, which saves you money both now and in the long run.
Pros
- Two pieces of matching furniture
- Small size but lots of storage
- Classic white design
Cons
- Design is slightly feminine
- Engineered wood won’t hold up to climbing
Badger Basket Modern Baby Changing Table
Let’s face it: regular, wooden furniture is pretty expensive. But what about cheaper options that accomplish the same goal without all the money and bulk? Enter the Badger Basket Modern Baby Changing Table. It has all the storage and support you need until baby outgrows their diapering days.
This changing table fits a standard size changing pad, which is included with your purchase. There’s also a safety strap on top to keep baby from rolling off during a diaper change.
Below the changing surface is a big hamper and three smaller baskets. Trust us, this is super convenient! The hamper is built-in, so you don’t have to purchase a separate one and waste more precious real estate. Plus, after a blow-out, you can just drop the soiled clothes in right there! The baskets are perfect for diapers, wipes, creams, and other baby gear.
There are three color options to work for almost any decor theme. Plus, when baby is older, you could use the top as a shelf and turn this into an organizer. Not bad for right around a hundred bucks!
Pros
- Changing table and organizer
- Changing pad included
- 3 different color options
- Lots of storage
Cons
- Can’t put too much weight in the drawers
- Included changing pad is flimsy
The Windard Set by Storkcraft
The Windard Nursery Set by Storkcraft comes with a convertible crib and changing table with changing pad. While you’ll still need to buy a mattress, the entire set is currently less than $300 on Amazon! Even if you bought a mattress, and maybe even a cheap dresser, you could come in at a whole nursery room set for $5oo or so.
The changing table is the perfect height for changing baby without tweaking your back. The two shelves below can store diapers, wipes, and any other toys or gear that you want to be displayed. It’s easy to find baskets or bins to go on the shelves to hide the clutter.
The included crib converts to a toddler bed, day bed, and full-sized bed, but you’ll need to buy the conversion kit. It has 3 mattress heights.
This is an affordable baby furniture set made of solid pine wood and composite wood (aka MDF). Depending on how rough your kids are, it may not last for more than one or two children. You certainly get what you pay for – this is not a top-of-the-line set for a steal. It’s an inexpensive option meant to be used by one child.
Pros
- Simple design perfect for small spaces
- Full-size convertible crib
- Can pick your own mattress
- Changing table comes with changing pad
Cons
- Not the sturdiest
- Have to assemble it all
Inexpensive Cribs Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Windsor Glider and Ottoman | 9.6 | 9.2 | 213.44 |
| Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib | 9.9 | - | 199.99 |
| Badger Basket Modern Baby Changing Table | 9.7 | 9.0 | 183.64 |
| Dream on Me Synergy 5-in-1 Crib | 9.7 | 9.0 | 139.97 |
| Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib | 9.6 | 9.4 | 129.99 |
| The Windard Set by Storkcraft | 3.9 | 9.2 | - |
Buying Considerations and Tips
Buying Secondhand
Even though buying secondhand is an option for saving money on cribs, one of the biggest risks is that you’ll get the crib home and find out there are damaged parts or pieces missing. Even something that seems small like a missing screw can make the entire crib come toppling down.
If you do buy a crib secondhand, it is very important to look for damage. Verify that all parts are present and working before you make your purchase. Also, look for hazards like chipping paint or cracks.
Buying dressers and organizers secondhand is a good way to save money. They are easier to inspect for damages before bringing them home.
How to Find Cheap Baby Furniture
Cheap baby furniture is easier to come by when you give yourself time to shop.
Stores often have sales when they get new shipments of furniture. If you like the Graco crib mentioned above, be sure to check out the 20-30% off sales they offer every few months. Black Friday and clearance sales are other great places to check.
Of course, there is also the option of looking for sales at local retailers. Scanning the local ads for your favorite places is a good way to do this. Most retailers, like Target, will run a baby sale every few months, so just keep an eye on it.
Sometimes, you can buy cheap baby furniture sets that bundle different pieces of furniture for your baby’s rooms. This might include a crib, changing table, and dresser/organizer or you can bundle a crib and a mattress. Delta Children is an example of a company that offers significant savings when you bundle 6 furniture pieces.
Choosing A Cheap Crib
As you choose a baby crib, you’ll want to consider how well it will fit into your parenting style. Here are some considerations to make:
Where is the crib going? Baby cribs come in a variety of sizes. Smaller ones are easier to move from room to room. There are also larger models that are designed for a nursery and smaller bedside cribs, which make co-sleeping safer.
Are you going to move it frequently? Cribs can be stationary or mobile, meaning they have wheels that make them easier to move around. There are also travel cribs, which easily break down so they can fit into your vehicle.
How tall are you? It can be difficult to lay a sleeping baby down in a crib that is the wrong height. You either have to bend over too far or strain yourself because the bars are too high. Sometimes, it’s best to look at in-store models so you can see what height you need if you plan to order online.
How long do you plan on using it? Cheap convertible cribs are designed to grow through your child’s life and might convert to a toddler bed or day bed later on.
Types of Affordable Baby Furniture
Cribs are not the only way to deck out your baby’s nursery. Here are some other pieces you might consider:
Dressers or organizers. Dressers and organizers make it easier to find the things your little one needs, faster. If you do choose dressers, be sure to buy furniture anchors that keep them secured to the wall. These will stop furniture from tipping over if your little one climbs them once they are older.
Rocking chair. Rocking chairs are nice for babies that are comforted by gentle swaying motions and it helps prevent strain on parent’s backs from constantly rocking their little one in their arms. These may be sold with or without an ottoman.
Changing table. Some parents opt for a changing table where they can store everything they need to change a wet or stinky diaper. You can use a changing table if it will fit in your lifestyle (though we always threw down a blanket and changed our little ones wherever it was most convenient).
Final Take
Choosing affordable baby cribs and furniture is difficult. After all, you don’t know what your baby is going to like. Think about your parenting style and how each piece of furniture will fit into your lifestyle. Then, take the time to shop early and you’ll easily be able to find a budget baby crib and furniture to fill your little one’s nursery.
